Merchant banking refers to a wide range of financial services including underwriting shares, portfolio management, project counseling, and insurance provided by both commercial and investment banks for a fee. Merchant bankers act as intermediaries between companies raising funds and investors by advising on issues like corporate mergers and underwriting corporate securities. They provide services like promotional activities, issue management, credit syndication, project counseling, portfolio management, and working capital finance to help businesses obtain financing.
2. WHAT IS MERCHANT BANKING?
• Merchant Banking may be defined as an institution which
covers a wide range of activities such as underwriting of
shares, portfolio management, Project counseling,
insurance etc. They all render these service for a fee. Both
commercial and investment banks may engage in
merchant banking activities.
• The original purpose of merchant banks was to facilitate
and/or finance production and trade of commodities and
hence the name "merchant”.
3. WHO IS MERCHANT BANKER?
• A merchant banker is one who is a critical link between a
company raising fund and the investors.
• Merchant banker is one who underwrites corporate
securities and advices on issues like corporate mergers.
• The merchant banker may be in the form of a bank, a
company, firm or even a proprietary concern.
• Merchant Banker understands the requirements of the
business concern and arranges finance with the help of
financial institutions, banks, stock exchanges and money
market
4. FUNCTIONS OF MERCHANT BANKS
• Promotional Activities – Merchant Banks helps the
entrepreneur in conceiving an idea, identification of
projects, preparing feasibility reports, obtaining
Government approvals and incentives etc.
• Issue Management - Management of issues refers to
effective marketing of corporate securities viz., equity
shares, preference shares and debentures or bonds by
offering them to public. Merchant banks act as
intermediary whose main job is to transfer capital from
those who own it to those who need it .
5. CONT..
• Credit Syndication - Credit Syndication refers to obtaining
of loans from single development finance institution or a
syndicate or consortium. Merchant Banks help corporate
clients to raise syndicated loans from commercials bank.
• Project Counseling- It includes preparation of projects
reports, deciding upon the financing pattern, appraising
the project relating to its technical, commercial and
financial viability. It includes filling up of application forms
for obtaining funds from financial institution.
6. CONT…
• Portfolio Management - It refers to the effective management of
Securities i.e., the merchant banker helps the investor in matters
pertaining to investment decisions. Taxation and inflation are taken
into account while advising on investment in different securities. The
merchant banker also undertakes the function of buying and selling
of securities on behalf of their client companies. Investments are
done in such a way that it ensures maximum returns and minimum
risk.
• Working capital Finance: Merchant bankers provide the following
services as a part of working capital finance
• Assessment of working capital requirement
• Preparing the application for the sanction of appropriate credit
facilities
• Providing assistance in negotiations with the banks.
• Advising on issue of debenture for augmenting long term
requirement of working capital.
7. CONT…
• Acceptance credit and bill discounting: Activities relating to the acceptance and
discounting of bills of exchange, besides advancement of loans to business concerns on
strength of such instruments. In order that the bill accepting and discounting takes place
is imperative that the firms have a good reputation. Collecting credit information and
rating is part of this function.
• Mergers and acquisitions: This is a specialized service provided by merchant bankers who
arrange for negotiating acquisitions and mergers by offering expert valuation regarding
quantum and nature of consideration. The activities involved include
• Undertaking management audits to identify the areas of strength and weakness in order
help formulate guidelines for future growth.
• Conducting exploratory studies on a global basis to locate overseas market, foreign
collaborations, and JVs
• Obtaining approval from shareholders, depositors, creditors, government and other
authorities.
• Identifying organizations with matching characteristics.
• Assisting in capital restructuring.
• Assisting in legal compliance.
8. CONT…
• Leasing and Finance – Many merchant bankers provide
leasing and finance facilities. Some of them even maintain
venture capital funds to assist the entrepreneurs. They
help companies in raising finance by way of public
deposits.
• Servicing Issues – Merchant Bankers helps in servicing
the shareholders and debenture holders in distributing
dividends, debenture interest.
• Other Specialized Services – Merchant Banks also provide
provide corporate advisory services on issues like
and amalgamations, tax matters, recruitment of
and cost and management audit etc.